Monday, June 03, 2019

Magnolia Springs State Park Revisited, Millen, Georgia


In our parks the springs still set a scene that lets you imagine with some accuracy how it must have been before your memories started, what it was like before there were interstates and jets and skyscrapers, when native Americans or Spanish conquistadors knelt and drank from waters that looked very much like this.”
Al Burt






We decided to go back to Magnolia Springs State Park to see this beautiful spring since we have been in a drought and Joe figured it would be the perfect time to see the spring. The last time we went there it was disappointing since the water was not clear and the color was not as brilliant due to all the rain. We drove around an hour to get to this gem of a park that was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and opened in 1939 and is located between Millen and Perkins, Georgia.











When we arrived. we walked on the boardwalk that goes over part of the spring and gazed upon all its glory. Joe was so right. The springs couldn’t have been more beautiful. The colors were spectacular and the spring was crystal clear. There was a lot of natural growth in the lake on this visit but as I said, the spring itself was stunning. We saw lots of fish swimming around the spring and many turtles seeming to do a happy dance in water. They were so graceful and plentiful. Over 7 million gallons of water flows out of a hole that is 18 feet below the surface bubbling up to make this a most spectacular site. So our advice to all is to go see this spring when there has not been rain for a while.




This state park has over a thousand acres and is just lovely with beautiful trees offering nice shade and making it cooler in the picnic areas and playground. Today there were lots of people picnicking and grilling out at the park. The Spanish moss decorating the branches gives it that southern feel and is lovely. The splash pad was cooling off the children that were visiting there and with the temperature today, June first at about 94 degrees, it was much needed. It looked like fun and I almost went running through to cool off. The children would have probably thought that was hysterical, a grand-mom running through the water getting soaking wet.




This time while walking around, Joe noticed a fenced in area and so we walked up to see what was there. It was Gopher Tortoise which is Georgia Official Reptile and is protected by law. That was pretty neat to see. He came out of his resting place and just stared at us. Have a happy day tortoise.













When we got to the 28 acre lake towards the back of the park, we saw all the beautiful lily pads in full bloom. There were a few people out on the rental paddle boats just taking it easy and enjoying the day. There is a nice fishing dock but no one was there when we rode by. The campground up against one side of the lake and there are eight rental cabins, some on the lake and some scattered around the park. The campground is set up perfectly with lots of shade and the rental cabins looked very nice and well kept. The cabins were all booked the day we were there and the campground was pretty full also. There is no swimming here because this is alligator country.








There are eight picnic shelters that are well kept if you want to have a nice picnic. We still have to do that one time when we come to visit this park, but this visit was a spur of the moment decision and we didn’t plan on it. We will do that another time. We hiked a couple trails and we just love the calm natural beauty of the trails. No one else was on the trail we were on and it was so peaceful with a nice breeze blowing through the woods. It actually felt nice even with it being as hot as it was that day.












At one time this land was called Camp Lawton and was used a POW prison camp during 1864. It was designed to hold 40,000 prisons in an enclosed 42 acres. They brought the Confederate POW’s from the Andersonville Prison in Andersonville, Georgia which didn’t have a good water source and many prisoners had died from the awful conditions there. They surely didn’t have that problem here with the fresh spring water.







Walking along the bank of the lake near the spring, we spotted an alligator in the water. All we could see was his tail and his eyes when he looked up. He looked content being submerged in the cool water.





















We were lucky by going to the spring that day as there was a group of antique car owners who had gotten together for a picnic and displayed their cars. There were some beauties. How lucky were we to get to see that. What a nice added bonus. We enjoy looking at the beautifully restored vehicles.












We had a nice visit and had to say farewell to this park again. It is worth your trip and it is an inexpensive day. It only cost our car five dollars to get in. It is so worth it. Go check them out. Bye for now.











Nature surrounds us, from parks and backyards to streets and alleyways. Next time you go out for a walk, tread gently and remember that we are both inhabitants and stewards or nature in our neighborhoods.”
David Suzuki


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